Sustainable Energy Minor
As society’s demand for energy continues to increase — along with the ramifications of energy inequity and climate change — so too will the need for engineers and scientists with the expertise to help us forge a sustainable energy future. These energy leaders must be well-versed in a variety of energy sources, including the history, long-term viability, environmental impact, and policy and societal implications of each. With a Sustainable Energy minor, you’ll hone this in-demand skill set.
Eligible Majors
The 18-hour minor is open to students in the following majors:
- Chemistry
- Geological Sciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology
- Environmental Science
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete 18 credit hours for the Sustainable Energy minor, including three required courses and 9 credit hours from approved electives.
The Sustainable Energy minor consists of 18 credit hours, including these three required courses (9 credit hours):
- E S369N – Sustainability Issues in Energy (3 hours)
- M E 363M – Energy Technology and Policy (3 hours)
- GEO 302C – Climate: Past and Future (3 hours)
All classes must be taken on a letter-grade basis. You must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.00 in these courses.
9 credit hours consist of 6 credit hours from your home department and 3 credit hours from outside your department. These courses must be selected from the list of approved courses below. (If you are interested in additional coursework, you can select additional electives from this list, though courses beyond 18 credit hours are not required to complete the minor.)
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARE 346N | Building Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ARE 371 | Energy Simulation in Building Design | 3 |
| C E 341 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| C E 367R | Optimization Techniques for Transportation Engineers | 3 |
| C E 369L | Air Pollution Engineering | 3 |
| C E 370L | Climate Change Mitigation | 3 |
| CH 353 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 367C | Materials Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 341 | Design for Environment | 3 |
| CHE 379 | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics | 3 |
| CHE 379 | Dynamics in Ecology and the Environment | 3 |
| E E 339S | Solar Energy Conversion Devices | 3 |
| E E 362G | Smart Grids | 3 |
| E E 462L | Power Electronics Laboratory | 4 |
| E E 369 | Power Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EVE 310 | Sustainable Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EVE 312 | Environmental Engineering and Science | 3 |
| GEO 330K | Energy Exploration | 3 |
| GEO 341 | Mineral Resources, Society, and the Environment | 3 |
| GEO 347D | Global Warming | 3 |
| M E 374T | Renewable Energy Technology | 3 |
| M E 378E | Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy | 3 |
| PGE 379 | Geothermal Energy | 3 |
| PGE 379 | Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage | 3 |
All classes must be taken on a letter-grade basis. You must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.00 in the courses selected for their program of study.
Prerequisites
To enroll in the Sustainable Energy minor, students must complete 30 to 60 hours of coursework, including these six courses (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher:
- Mathematics 408C
- Mathematics 408D
- Mathematics 427J
- Chemistry 301
- Physics 303K
- Physics 303L
How to Apply
If you have completed 30 to 60 hours of coursework, including the prerequisites listed above, you may apply for the Sustainable Energy minor by filling out the online application and the relevant form in the Minor Inventory System.
Application Deadlines
- Summer or fall semester: March 1
- Spring semester: Oct. 1
If you’re pursuing an integrated undergraduate/graduate program, you must complete the requirements for the Sustainable Energy minor within one year after completing the undergraduate requirements of your program. For more information regarding the requirements for achieving a minor, including a comprehensive list of minors, please visit the Minors and Certificate Programs section of the Undergraduate Catalog.